It is possible to revive deceased Sims in The Sims 2. There are actually several methods for doing this, depending on what expansion pack you want to focus on. It isn’t a simple process as you either need to develop a hobby with TS2: FreeTime or head to school in TS2: University. Both are long investments but provide rewards beyond just raising the dead. You should, therefore, think of revival as a bonus while playing what you really want.

The important part to realize is that the Legacy Collection is not a remake or remaster. That means even in 2025, there will be quirks and bugs that have not been resolved in the last 20 years. Be extremely cautious when reviving a Sim, especially if it is a Maxis-made one that lacks full relationship data. If this happens, it can corrupt the entire neighborhood and require either a reset or full reinstallation of the game.

Using Genie Wishes To Resurrect Friends And Family

They Need To Be Invested In A Hobby

You can revive Sims using the Genie Lamp obtained by the visiting Matchmaker NPC first seen in TS2: Nightlife. She is only interested in Sims, which has nearly mastered both their Aspiration meters and Enthusiasm to around level 8 or higher. Aspiration is easier to focus on as you can complete daily Wants and avoid Fears; or you can see a Sim’s Lifetime Wish by hovering over the Aspiration Meter. Enthusiasm is from interacting with Hobby objects in TS2: FreeTime, with it being easier to level up based on a Sim’s Personality or Interest in the Simology tab:

With enough Aspiration and Enthusiasm, the Matchmaker will arrive at your home and drop off the Genie Lamp. This includes if you mainly used cheats in TS2. Rub the lamp, and you can use one of your three wishes to Resurrect. The list of Sims is limited to people the Sim knew, not strangers around town. However, any household member can use the lamp for their own personal list.

The Paranormal Career Can Raise The Dead, But Possibly As Zombies

It Is More Expensive And Risky

Another option is to acquire a Resurrect-O-Nomitron object within the Paranormal career track from TS2: University. This is exclusive to young adult Sims that have graduated from college. Adults are only eligible if they previously finished college, while elders will retire. The career requires lots of Creativity, Charisma, Cleaning, and Cooking skills to complete.

Most university secret societies also own a Resurrect-O-Nomitron that can be freely used. I prefer this as it saves way more time than finishing college and then taking a long career path. Additionally, since TS2: Legacy Collection comes with all main expansion packs, you can use TS2: Nightlife’s Move Graves option to put a dead Sim on the secret society lot and encounter them as a ghost.

Either way, use the Resurrect-O-Nomitron to call up the Grim Reaper and pay him accordingly. 8600 Simoleons is needed to bring a Sim back perfectly, but 4200 can be given to fully reverse their Personality. Paying just 1000 will transform the Sim into a zombie, a fully unique lifestate in The Sims 2. Any fewer Simoleons and Grim will just take the money without reviving.